Next Steps for Review of Massive BSNF Rail Hub

Voted on by who? Not the public!

The BNSF Arizona expansion project, known as Logistics Park Phoenix, is not on the ballot for a general election vote in Maricopa County.
Instead, the project requires approval from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors.
Here's a breakdown of the process:

• BNSF is seeking rezoning of over 4,000 acres for the project in Wittmann.
• The Maricopa County Board of Supervisors is responsible for voting on the rezoning and a Comprehensive Plan Amendment.
• BNSF requested to delay the vote from August 20 to November 5, 2025, to allow both the rezoning and comprehensive plan amendment to be heard together.
• The Maricopa County Zoning Commission will make a recommendation to the Board of Supervisors regarding the rezoning at their October 9 meeting.
• The Board of Supervisors will then vote on the matter at their November 5 meeting.

Residents near the project location have expressed significant opposition to the project due to concerns about traffic, environmental impacts, and other factors. BNSF has been working to address these concerns and claims the project will create jobs and boost the local economy.

 

Nope, not the public, but by our elected officials who will hold public hearings. At those hearings expect the rancor to come through loud and clear. Either we (the electorate) have a voice or we don’t. The court of public opinion still matters, or at least it should.

We are clearly in unprecedented times and the next several years will prove interesting.

 

Hi Bill, I found the BNSF railroad map online. It does show the line going thru SC into Phoenix, but then it stops. You can see the line going north up thru Flagstaff and beyond east. It could be that most cargo goods may be heading north and east if the map is correct. Phoenix would probably get more goods, but if the hub is to travel more goods thru the U.S. it could be that most trains would be going in another direction. We do need clarity on it from RR company. Also if Hwy. 11 gets trucks off of I-10 heading to hub, that may not be so bad. Less big rigs coming thru I-10 would be good as well. We definitely need to wait and hear from BNSF. We need more information as of today.

 

”22-acre Wastewater Treatment facility. BNSF projects 22,000 vehicle trips per day in and out of the area when the project is at full buildout.”

BNSF Hearing Update
August 2025 Newsletter
Maricopa County, Arizona sent this bulletin on Monday, 08/11/2025

ATTENTION: BNSF hearing will be postponed to November 5th.

(Note: There will be no hearing by the Board of Supervisors on the BNSF issue until November 5th)

BNSF Railway is proposing to build a large railway project in Wittman, NW of Surprise bordering Grand Ave, that will include a 1,770-acre Intermodal facility, a 1,420-acre Logistics Park with warehouses, a 1,109-acre Logistics Center and a 22-acre Wastewater Treatment facility. BNSF projects 22,000 vehicle trips per day in and out of the area when the project is at full buildout.
Railways have federal preemptive rights dating back to the 1800’s, which likely means that BNSF railway could build portions of the project, including the Intermodal Facility without local permitting or zoning approval. It is debatable if the Logistics Center could be built without local permitting and zoning approvals, but it appears clear that the Logistics Park, which includes the warehouses, would need local zoning approval. BNSF Railway has told me that they may proceed with portions of the project, even if the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors denies their zoning request.

If you are in favor of or opposed to this project, I need to hear from you. Please submit your thoughts in writing to: www.Maricopa.gov/ContactLesko. Please provide your address when submitting.

I take your input seriously.
DEBBIE LESKO
Maricopa County
District 4 Supervisor, August 2025
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https://content.govdelivery.com/accounts/AZMARIC/bulletins/3ecf8af